Multi-well cuvette provided with integrated reaction and detection means

Abstract

The present application discloses a multi-well cuvette for integrating the reaction between a sample and a reagent with the detection of a specific analyte included therein, and the multi-well cuvette comprises: a reaction chamber part having a sample and a reagent placed therein; and a detection part for detecting the reaction between the sample and the reagent, wherein the reaction chamber part comprises: an extraction member standby chamber in which a member for dividing or distributing the sample is on standby; a sample filling chamber; and a reagent filling chamber which is filled with the reagent, and in which the reaction with the sample is carried out, wherein the detection part comprises: a chromatography analysis means for a reactive product between the sample and the reagent; and a detection chamber for accommodating the same.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cuvette comprising:
 a jig; 
 a reaction part comprising a sample chamber configured to accommodate a liquid sample and a reagent chamber configured to accommodate a reagent for reaction with the liquid sample therein; and 
 an analysis part comprising a reaction product well configured to hold a liquid reaction product and a chromatographic strip extending between a first strip end and a second strip end, 
 wherein the jig, the sample chamber, the reagent chamber, the reaction product well, the chromatographic strip are integrated in a cuvette body; 
 wherein the sample chamber, the reagent chamber and the reaction product well are arranged between the jig and the first strip end of the chromatographic strip such that the sample chamber, the reagent chamber and the reaction product well are aligned in a direction along extension of the chromatographic strip from the first strip end toward the second strip end, 
 wherein the cuvette is configured to permit the liquid reaction product, when applied to the reaction product well, to flow to the first strip end of the chromatographic strip for a later flow assay in which the liquid reaction product further flows in the chromatographic strip in the direction from the first strip end toward the second strip end. 
 
     
     
       2. The cuvette of  claim 1 , wherein the sample chamber, the reagent chamber and the reaction product well are serially arranged along the direction from the first strip end toward the second strip end. 
     
     
       3. The cuvette of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sample opening formed through the cuvette body immediately above the sample chamber; and 
 the reagent opening formed through the cuvette body immediately above the reagent chamber. 
 
     
     
       4. The cuvette of  claim 1 , wherein the reagent chamber is referred to as a first reagent chamber, and the reagent is referred to as a first reagent, wherein the cuvette further comprises a second reagent chamber formed in the cuvette body and containing a second reagent, wherein the second reagent chamber is located between the sample chamber and the reaction product well. 
     
     
       5. The cuvette of  claim 1 , wherein the reagent chamber is referred to as a first reagent chamber, and the reagent is referred to as a first reagent, wherein the cuvette further comprises a second reagent chamber formed in the cuvette body and containing a second reagent, wherein the second reagent chamber is located between the first reagent chamber and the reaction product well. 
     
     
       6. The cuvette of  claim 1 , wherein the reagent chamber is referred to as a first reagent chamber, and the reagent is referred to as a first reagent, wherein the cuvette further comprises a second reagent chamber formed in the cuvette body and containing a second reagent, wherein the sample chamber, the first reagent chamber and the second reagent chamber are arranged in order along the direction from the first strip end toward the second strip end. 
     
     
       7. The cuvette of  claim 1 , further comprising a detection chamber and a chromatographic cartridge, wherein the detection chamber is formed in the cuvette body and configured to receive the chromatographic cartridge therein for integrating with the cuvette body, wherein the chromatographic cartridge comprises the reaction product well and the chromatographic strip therein. 
     
     
       8. The cuvette of  claim 7 , wherein the chromatographic cartridge comprises at least one structure configured to permit the liquid reaction product to flow to the first strip end of the chromatographic cartridge. 
     
     
       9. The cuvette of  claim 7 , wherein the sample chamber, the reagent chamber and the reaction product well are serially arranged along the direction from the first strip end toward the second strip end. 
     
     
       10. The cuvette of  claim 7 , wherein the chromatographic cartridge is elongated along the direction from the first strip end toward the second strip end. 
     
     
       11. The cuvette of  claim 7 , wherein the chromatographic cartridge further comprises an inlet for accessing the reaction product well. 
     
     
       12. The cuvette of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction product well and the first strip end of the chromatographic strip are in fluid communication such that the liquid reaction product flows to the first strip end of the chromatographic strip. 
     
     
       13. The cuvette of  claim 7 , wherein the chromatographic cartridge further comprises a top cover covering the chromatographic strip and a measurement window formed through the top cover, wherein the measurement window is over the chromatographic strip and elongated along the extension of the chromatographic strip. 
     
     
       14. The cuvette of  claim 1 , further comprises a magnet placed in the vicinity of the reaction product well for magnetically attracting and hindering magnetic beads contained in the liquid reaction product from flowing through the chromatographic strip when the liquid reaction product containing magnetic beads is applied to the reaction product well. 
     
     
       15. The cuvette of  claim 1 , further comprising a collector receiving chamber configured to accommodate a tip of a device configured for taking the liquid sample from the sample chamber and for dispensing the liquid sample into the reagent chamber. 
     
     
       16. The cuvette of  claim 15 , further comprising a first cover covering an opening for the reagent chamber, wherein the first cover is formed of a membrane for the tip to penetrate and move into the reagent chamber. 
     
     
       17. The cuvette of  claim 16 , further comprising a second cover covering at least part of the first cover.